Your doctor may or may have recommended a 24-hour BP monitor if you are experiencing any of the following situations:
Recently Diagnosed High Blood Pressure: If you have just been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor might want to monitor it over a 24-hour period to get a clear picture of how it changes throughout the day.
Borderline or Unstable High Blood Pressure: If your blood pressure fluctuates frequently or hovers near the high range, a 24-hour monitor can help doctors better understand your condition.
Resistant High Blood Pressure: If your blood pressure seems to be high even though you're taking medication and following your doctor's recommendations, a 24-hour monitor might be used to investigate the issue further.
Dizziness When Standing Up: If you have symptoms such as fainting or feeling lightheaded when you stand up, a 24-hour monitor may be used alongside other tests to assess whether your blood pressure is dropping too low when you stand (a condition called orthostatic hypotension).
Damage from High Blood Pressure: If there's evidence of damage to organs like your heart or kidneys despite your blood pressure appearing to be well-controlled, your doctor may use a 24-hour monitor to gather more information.
Symptoms of Sporadic High Blood Pressure: If you have signs or symptoms that might suggest your blood pressure sporadically spikes to very high levels, such as headaches, sweating, or a rapid heartbeat, you might need a 24-hour monitor. This could be an indicator of a rare condition like a pheochromocytoma, a tumor of the adrenal gland that can cause severe high blood pressure.
(ABPM) Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24 hour BP monitor) is a test that involves wearing a device for 24 hours to measure your blood pressure as you go about your daily activities and during sleep.
This device takes your blood pressure at regular intervals and records the information on an in-built chip. This helps your doctor get a detailed understanding of how your blood pressure varies throughout the day in your normal environment.
When you come in to have the monitor fitted, a technician will explain the process to you. It's best to wear a button-down blouse or shirt that's loose on the arms, or short sleeves. Keep in mind that you won't be able to shower or bathe while you're wearing the monitor.
What can I expect during the test?
- The fitting process takes about 15 minutes.
- The blood pressure cuff will be attached to your non-dominant arm and connected to the monitor via a tube.
- You can continue with your regular activities, but avoid any activities where the monitor and tubing could get wet or damaged.
- The cuff will automatically inflate at various intervals throughout the day and night. Try to stay as relaxed as possible when this happens.
- Use the event button on the monitor to record any symptoms, and make a note of these in the diary provided.
- After 24 hours, remove the monitor, place it and the diary back in the pouch, and return it the next day.
Are there any risks associated with the test?
You might experience slight discomfort and numbness after a reading, which is normal. However, if this discomfort persists and becomes unbearable, you should remove the cuff and contact Heartscope. Bruising and swelling can occasionally occur but are uncommon.
(This test will take up to 15-30 minutes)
To ensure you're prepared for the 24-hour BP monitoring test, please note the following instructions:
Billing Information
This test is not covered by Medicare, meaning you'll be responsible for the costs. The fee for a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor is $90 for private billing.
Showering
While the blood pressure monitor is attached, you won't be able to shower for 24 hours, so plan your personal hygiene routine accordingly. We advise you shower before your appointment.
Security Deposit
Please bring a $50 security deposit, either in cash or card. This is a precautionary measure in case the monitor is returned late or damaged. After the monitor is returned in good condition within the 24-hour period, this deposit will be refunded to you.
